Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure – Member extending between and engaging flat formed on side of...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-13
2002-09-17
Saether, Flemming (Department: 3679)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure
Member extending between and engaging flat formed on side of...
C411S087000, C411S097000, C411S102000, C411S410000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06450746
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to screw retention devices, and more particularly to a screw retention device having a serrated holding portion for engagement with corresponding serrations on a screw to be retained.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When using a fastener, such as a screw, there is a risk that vibrations, or other conditions, will cause the screw to shift in position, loosen and, in some cases, fall out. To prevent the screw from shifting or falling out, numerous screw retention devices and methods have been developed. As shown in
FIG. 4
, a known device
200
is disclosed for preventing fall out. The device
200
includes a wiring mechanism
202
that is used to wire a pair of tightened screw heads
204
,
206
together.
Another known device
220
is shown in
FIGS. 5
a
-
5
c.
The known device
220
includes a tightening plate
222
, best shown in
FIG. 5
a,
having a pair of holes
224
dimensioned to receive screws
226
. The screws
226
, as best shown in
FIG. 5
b,
have a triangular head portion
228
and a threaded shaft
230
. To install the tightening plate
222
, the screw shaft
230
is positioned through a hole
224
of the tightening plate
222
prior to being threadingly engaged with another object. As shown in
FIG. 5
c,
each tightening plate
222
receives two screws
226
. When the screws are fastened, the edge
232
of the tightening plate
222
is bent in the direction designated as X, shown in
FIG. 5
c,
to fit the shape of the screw. When the edges
232
are bent around the screw
226
, the bent edges prevent the triangular head
228
from rotating. Thus, the screw
226
is maintained in position.
The known methods of retaining screws in a static position are complicated and time consuming. Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified method and device to retain screws in a static position.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A screw retention device is disclosed for maintaining at least a pair of screws in a substantially static position. The term screw is used herein to refer to any fastener that threadingly engages an object. The screw retention device preferably includes at least two clamping portions, each clamping portion defining a recess therein for receiving and securely retaining a screw. The clamping portions include a serrated surface extending circumferentially around an inside periphery of the clamping portion, surrounding the recess. The serrated surface of the clamping portion corresponds to and engages with a serrated surface on the screw to retain the screw. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the screw retention device is press fitted onto the screws.
In one embodiment of the invention, the serrated surface of the clamping portion extends around the entire inside periphery of the clamping portion and the serrated surface of the screw extends around the entire outside periphery of the screw. The screw retention device is snap fit onto the screws and the serrated surface of the clamping portions engage the serrated surface of the screws.
The screws preferably have a conical head portion to facilitate the installation of the screw retention device. During installation, the clamping portions slide down the conical head portion of the screw until the serrated surface of the clamping portions engages the serrated surface of the screw. In a more preferred embodiment, the conical head portion of the screw is dimensioned to overlap the top surface of the screw retention device when the device is installed, and restrict the movement of the device in the direction of the axis of the screw.
The screw retention device is preferably made of an elastic material that provides elastic yield during the installation of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the screw retention device comprises rubber. In another embodiment of the invention, the screw retention device comprises a relatively harder material, such as plastic. If a relatively harder material is used, slits are provided in the screw retention device, extending from the recess, to facilitate the installation of the device.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping portions include a serrated surface and a non-serrated surface on the inside periphery surrounding the recess. The non-serrated surface is preferably disposed proximal the slit. To facilitate the removal of the screw retention device from the screws, the clamping portions preferably include a pair of extension handles. The extension handles operate such that by pulling the handles apart, the recess is expanded and the serrated surface of the clamping portion disengages from the serrated surface of the screw.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
REFERENCES:
patent: 969543 (1910-09-01), Lance
patent: 1029103 (1912-06-01), Christianson
patent: 2370944 (1945-03-01), Emerson
patent: 2423918 (1947-07-01), Wohlhieter
patent: 2955690 (1960-10-01), Bedford
patent: 3031049 (1962-04-01), Somville
patent: 3662783 (1972-05-01), Stacey
patent: 4657457 (1987-04-01), Rickwood
patent: 2229241 (1990-09-01), None
patent: 2300890 (1996-11-01), None
patent: 2324580 (1998-10-01), None
patent: 2330637 (1999-04-01), None
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP
Saether Flemming
Shimano Inc.
LandOfFree
Screw retention device having serrations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Screw retention device having serrations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Screw retention device having serrations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2861623